Innehållsförteckning för December 2022 från Diecast Collector

7 BUMPER PAGES! THIS MONTH’S IN-DEPTH REVIEWS: 8 A pair of exquisite 1940s Checker Model A Taxis, by Automodello, in either New York yellow or Chicago green. 16 EDITOR’S CHOICE - Ford RS Cosworth Collection by Corgi - a trio of sumptuous 1/43 scale replicas of Ford’s road cars developed with the famous engine builder. HAIL THIS PAIR OF EVOCATIVE TAXIS FROM AUTOMODELLO DOWN AND PAY THE FARE 1/43 scale AUTOMODELLO 1940 Checker Model A Taxi - Chicago & New York versions PRICE: US$119.00 each REF NO: 43C401 (Chicago - green) & 43C400 (New York - yellow) www.automodello.com AUTOMODELLO’S utomodello’s latest 1/43 creation is the unusual-looking, but iconic in its day, Checker Model A Taxicab. Commonplace in US cities, Checker cabs were renowned for their style and reliability. The Model A…

Although not a brand new release, I felt that taking a look at Schuco’s current catalogue 1/43 model, as well as its latest version 1/18 release, would make an interesting change. PORSCHE 911 TARGA - 1971 (45 036 7700) Released last year to supplement Schuco’s longer running 1/43 Coupé stablemate, twoTarga models were introduced simultaneously – this metallic blue example (Porsche L324 Blaumetallic) and an accessorised silver metallic‘Skiurlaub’ (skiing holiday) version (45 036 7800). Schuco’s catalogue defines them as modelling the 911Targa of 1971 and, so, by definition, the second and last year of the 2.2 litre models. Period correct details included the silver-trimmed louvre grille and gold“PORSCHE” lettering on the engine lid, together with representation of the brushed Nirosta steel roll-over bar with side ventilation slots. A nice, additional…

Some readers will already know through my books that my interest in this hobby of ours is as much about the people who make the models, as the models themselves. And, just occasionally, we all come across a person who stands above the rest in terms of compassion, thoughtfulness, attention to detail and just overall care for everything and everyone. One such man was Doug McHard, former Marketing Director for Meccano, and founder of Somerville Models. Doug was a keen, lifelong builder of model aircraft, which he enjoyed flying. He was educated at Sheffield College of Arts and Crafts, and became a photographer in the RAF. His model building and writing skills led him to leave and join Aeromodeller magazine, then Model Aircraft, as Assistant Editor. He moved to Lines…

When Matchbox models were launched in 1953, they were tiny. Only around two inches (50mm) long. But, as Lesney added more models to the Matchbox Series throughout the decade, they grew steadily larger, reaching the three inch (75mm) mark by the early 1960s. This created a problem, as the older models looked rather insignificant and under-sized compared to the later releases. So Lesney replaced many of its early models with larger versions of the same subject. Sometimes updating the designs as well. Soon, even the replacements began to look too small compared to the newer models, and another wave of replacement models were introduced. For a handful of models, there was even a fourth wave. Among these was the No 5 double-decker bus. There were four versions released between 1954…

The 12th FIFAWorld Cup was hosted by Spain, in 1982, and rounds were played in stadiums around the country during June and July of that year. The grand final was held in the capital, Madrid, and saw Italy taking the trophy with a 3-1 victory overWest Germany. To tie in with theWorld Cup, Corgi issued a pair of commemorative models in its Corgi Juniors range. Corgi was no stranger to models that commemorated sporting events. As far back as 1964, in the large Corgi Toys range, there was a version of the Citroën ID Station Wagon – complete with skis and poles on the roof rack and a skier figure – produced to mark the Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. This was replaced in 1968 with an updated version of…

TrueScale Miniatures was founded in 2006, based in Hong Kong, and began distributing diecast models the following year. Over time, most collectors referred to the company asTSM, for short, and a few years ago, this became part of the new trading name – TSM-Model. In late 2017, the company announced the launch of a brand new range, dedicated solely to 1/64 scale, and nothing else – MINI GT (use of full upper case is part of the brand identity). During early production, only a few licensing arrangements were in place, notably Honda and Nissan, but many more big names were to follow, with most of them already being replicated atTSM’s larger scales. Two of the later licensing deals included Bentley and Land Rover, and little did we know at the…

BLUE LIGHTS EMERGENCY I'M looking for a couple of blue beacons for a Corgi 999 series AEC fire escape fire engine, which I purchased from a diecast toy fair at Doncaster racecourse for £4 in immaculate condition, but with no box and lacking the blue light beacons. The model number is 97356 Dunkirk Station, which I believe to be Nottingham Fire Brigade. Hornby Hobbies can't help, Steve Flowers model parts can't help, so I wondered if any of your readers can help. The blue beacons are very blue in colour and are very much like glass rather than plastic. I know these models are still available at toy shows for £12-15 boxed, which is very good value, but I can’t buy just to pinch the beacons off one to restore…

1/43 scale CORGI Ford RS Cosworth Collection PRICE: £108.99 REF NO: CW00001 www.corgi.co.uk COSWORTH and Ford have a relationship that goes back a very long way on the racing circuits around the world, thanks to the 3-litre V8 DFV engine that dominated F1 from the 1960s to the early 1980s. Cosworth solidified its association with Ford on road cars by developing the YB series of engines. Starting with the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth in 1986, this hugely successful engine was destined for great things both on and off the track. This collection includes three of those famous cars, all very successful for both companies, and which made Ford Cosworth a household name. In 1983 StuartTurner returned to manage Ford’s competition Department and, aware the competition had overtaken Ford in motorsport, visited…

Maybe it is the time of year with the 2023 Rallye Monte Carlo tangibly looming on the horizon that makes me start thinking about previous event glories. Given the preceding two Spotlights this month, it is a predictable guess that I would cite the Porsche 356 as, for me, one of the most attractive automotive body shapes competing in the Monte Carlo during the 1950s. Perhaps surprisingly then I have to say that the ruggedly reliable Stuttgarter favoured by Denis Jenkinson and others takes the flag in second when compared with the first model of another legendary automotive dynasty - the Alpine A106. OttOmobile has previously modelled the A106 in straightforward street guise in white (OT014) and red (OT593), and although extremely attractive, both are surpassed by this the latest…

The history of most diecast brands generally involves a process of increasing sophistication. Starting with simple body shells on wheels, model cars gradually acquire features like windows, interior fittings, opening parts and so on. This pattern can be traced easily enough, in the case of Dinky or Corgi, but the process isn’t so straightforward when it comes to the many separate diecast ranges made by Lone Star over a period of some four decades. Sometimes, Lone Star seemed to take a step forward by taking a step backwards! For example, in 1966, Impy, the company’s most advanced line of model cars was launched, fitted with multiple opening parts and advertised as “the cars with everything”. Yet, in the same era, Lone Star was also developing the ‘Roadmaster Majors’, simple, heavy…

Between 1984 and 1992, Matchbox Toys produced a number of limited edition models for the Australian market. All of these models originated as publicity items that were commissioned by local businesses for promotional purposes, and most were initially issued as on-pack offers. However, Matchbox Australia had a condition that all promotional models had to be sold through regular retail outlets after the promotion had concluded. This meant that all models were easy for collectors to obtain, and made Matchbox collecting very popular down under during this period. LONDON TAXI - THE GREAT TAXI RIDE Possibly the most unusual promotional model, for the Australian market, was this London black cab produced as a charity fundraiser. It was just the standard FX4RTaxi in its black livery, with white signs printed on the…

My early interest in buses started with the Sheffield wartime utility buses, which had wooden-slatted seats and I travelled to school in some of these. I enjoyed bus spotting and collecting their numbers – the Ian Allen bus books were extremely useful at the time. Later, when I was in London, the RTs were still running and the Routemasters were arriving. More up-to-date buses were introduced as London then had to purchase from other companies instead of building its own. Later, along came single decker buses in central London in the form of the MCW Merlins in 1967. There had always been a DinkyToys bus fleet and a new bus was added in May 1971 as the Dinky Toys Single Decker Bus (No 283). It is shown in the May…

Fiat Abarth 2000 by Pininfarina The stunning late 1960s concept car in all of its diecast guises. January 2023 Issue 303 PLUS… Porsche’s racing car transporters Majorette monster trucks Hot Wheels Aquaman BRM World Champs 6oth anniversary Lone Star legacy The Corgi Years - 1964 Workbench Desert Island Diecasts Collecting by numbers – Superfast #30 Auction results All the latest news Extensive selection of new model releases, reviewed by our team of experts Please note: These planned editorial contents may be subject to change where necessary. January issue on sale 1st December or download the digital edition 7 DAYS EARLIER on 24th November at www.pocketmags.com/diecast-collector…

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It’s already six months since I reviewed GT Spirit’s 911(993) Targa in the June issue, and high time that I took a look a pair of subsequently released catalogue companion 993s. A pair, incidentally, that, once again, make perfect display companions on account of representing both road and track variations on a theme. In this case, the theme is that of 993s from 1996 and therefore from roughly the mid-point of the last air-cooled 911’s production run, which ended in 1998. Common to both are the full bodykit additions, including (ultra) widebody flared wheel arches and special bumper panels front and back. These for the nose section included a sculptured chin spoiler. So, whilst externally the bodies of the pair are outwardly very similar, a closer look quickly reveals significant…

If there’s a rally car that needs no introduction, it would be the Ford Escort RS MkII. Everyone, even if only slightly interested in rallying, might know about the glorious career this car had in theWorld Rally Championship. It won a pair of driver’s titles, first with Björn Waldegaard, in 1979, and later with Ari Vatanen, in 1981. It even gave the Ford Motor Company a manufacturer’s title in 1979. The MkII had an unusually long career for a rally car, always at the very highest level. Starting in the WRC in 1975, it was used until 1981 by works or semi-works teams. The MkII won the RAC Rally five times, with drivers likeTimo Mäkinen, Roger Clark, Björn Waldegaard and Hannu Mikkola, and also won other iconic rallies, such as…

Nearly every UK brand of diecast had a horsebox in its range at some time or other. Ignoring colour changes, Corgi probably led with four, and Britains were not far behind with its farming connections. There were also at least three from Matchbox, with Budgie, Charbens, Morestone and even Spot-On with its pennyworth. ENTER DINKY But it’s a particular vehicle style we are interested in here, the one made famous as a super Dinky model, even if it did get it slightly wrong. Morestone then shrank it down to Matchbox size, whilst Charbens came about midway between the two with a slightly less faithful version. It is very obvious that the Dinky was the inspiration, as it was based on a possibly unique vehicle. It also copied the livery. There…

The MG RV8 is another footnote in the convoluted story of what, in 1986, became the Rover Group from its previous incarnation as BL (formerly British Leyland) and its sale from state ownership in 1988 to British Aerospace. With hindsight, its significance now can be seen in perhaps two perspectives, with the first being that it pioneered a new approach for retro-inspired products, which was later exploited by the BMW MINI, the VW New Beetle and the Fiat 500. The second is that it enabled the revival of the MG brand name from surrogate use on badgeengineered hatchbacks and saloons such as the Metro, Maestro and Montego into something more compatible with the internationally recognised MG tradition of producing real sports cars. Its backstory brings together several parallel themes, including…

No. 29 Number 29 offers another mixed bag of subjects. Starting with a realistic fire engine, it moves onto a rather wonderful, if slightly poorly-rendered in terms of body shape accuracy, racing Mini. The Lesney era finishes with a semi-realistic shovel tractor, and it is a design that has stayed in production way beyond the company ceasing trading, with versions made almost to the present day. FIRE PUMPER TRUCK Catalogue: 1970 Box Styles: F, G Fire Pumper had a very short lifespan with Superfast wheels, the brief transition period curtailed prematurely by the incoming No 35 Merryweather Fire Engine unit. As a result of the obvious play value of a fire engine and this short production run, finding a good condition Superfast version is difficult, particularly with a good box…

Between the classic DinkyToys of the 1950s and the recent products of Corgi, Ixo and many others, there is no shortage of models of Triumph cars for collectors to choose from. Most of the newer replicas aim to be as true-to-life as possible, but the three shown here have a completely different purpose, as they’re simply products of the imagination. France and Belgium are noted for a genre of story-telling known as bandes dessinées, in which the narrative unfolds in comic-strip form. Many of the current exponents of the art are influenced by the famous Belgian cartoonist George Rémi (better known by his pen-name, Hergé) whoseTintin books remain hugely popular all over the world. Hergé took enormous care over the period settings of his stories, in which vehicles often feature,…

When my elderly friend, Jackie, travelled in the Rover, she could barely see over the dashboard. Tiny, Bohemian, tough and kindly, she would snuggle down in her fur coat, light a pungent roll-up and say, in a gravelly voice, "This is a nice little car." Born in Argentina, the-family transport in the 1930s was a Packard, compared to which most modern cars would seem little. I regret not having asked her how she ended up in England to marry an army officer (who was killed) and then a wildly unfaithful German POW whom she eventually left. When I knew her, she was dealing in small antiques and jewellery, and living in a small, but charming garden flat with cats, rabbits and a constant supply of whisky. Had Jackie wished to…